Bag Holder and Waste Bin Incorporating Snaps to Lock Bag Open

ABSTRACT

One common problem when doing trash clean up is that the mouths of thin (often plastic) bags have a tendency to collapse when carried by hand. This collapse closes the mouth of the bag, making it difficult to place material inside. The invention comprises a frame that the bag is installed over. Attached to the frame are flaps connected to the frame via living hinges. On each flap are snaps that have corresponding matched mating parts on the frame itself. When the flaps are closed, the matched mating parts interface in such a way as to snap closed, locking the bag open securely between the flaps and frame. When built into the top of a waste bin, the invention prevents the sides of the bag from falling into the bin.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of an incorporates herein by reference U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/639,945, filed Apr. 29, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One common problem when doing any type of trash or recycling clean up is that the mouths of thin (often plastic) bags have a tendency to collapse when carried by hand. This collapse closes the mouth of the bag, making it difficult to place objects or material inside. This is a particular problem when there is any kind of wind. It often requires the person doing the cleanup to stop and open the bag or have a second person hold the mouth of the bag open while material is inserted. This slows down the productivity of the trash cleanup effort and also creates a hassle for those doing it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

These problems are mitigated by the invention. The invention comprises a frame that the bag is installed over analogous to the top of a trash bin. The bag fits through the center of the frame and fits over the top of the frame, stretching the mouth of the bag open. Attached to the frame are a number of flaps connected to the frame via living hinges. The living hinges allow for articulation of the flaps relative to the frame. On each flap are snaps that have corresponding matched mating parts on the frame itself. When the flaps are closed, the matched mating parts interface in such a way as to snap closed, locking the bag between the flaps and frame. An audible snap may also let the user know that each flap has locked closed. The bag becomes securely trapped in between these locked parts.

As the bag is loaded with material, it begins to increase in weight. The locked flaps ensure that the weight does not cause the bag to fall through the center of the invention due to the weight. The top of the frame may be curved to evenly distribute the load on the frame and also to reduce the amount of force pulling on the bag portions locked between the matched mating parts. The curved frame also ensures that there are no sharp corners to tear the thin bag material.

Once the bag has been filled with material the flaps may be opened by popping them open. The flaps may have raised portions forming openings relative to the frame that allow the user to more easily get a grip on them to unlock and pop them open. This allows the bag to be released from the invention once all flaps are popped open. The invention can then be reused on additional bags.

The invention has a number of beneficial attributes that make it economical to manufacture. Even though the invention makes use of multiple moving portions, living hinges allow it to all be made as a single piece. No assembly is required at any stage of the process or by the end user. It may be manufactured a number of ways including injection molding. It can be made using a number of materials including polypropylene, polyethylene or other plastics. The flaps also may be relatively small in extent in comparison to the frame, keeping tooling costs low. Relatively small flaps keep the mold size small and material usage minimal during manufacture. The invention can also be made with structural ribbing on the underside of a hollow frame, keeping the amount of material needed to make it relatively low.

The invention can be used for collecting trash, recyclables or any other application that could benefit from having a bag held open. The invention can also be used like a big scoop to scoop up piles of material directly into the bag. It also holds the bag widely open enough for use with tools such as rakes, shovels, brooms and other devices.

Another problem commonly encountered when using trash bins is that thin bags have a tendency to collapse inside the trash bin when any weight is applied. This closes off the bag. Therefore the invention can be built into the top of trash bins to keep the bag from slipping inside the bin.

The invention can be made as:

-   -   A portable device for hand held use     -   A built in device on the top of trash bins     -   A removable device on the top of trash bins that can be detached         and used as a portable device

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

There are a number of other ways the invention can be implemented, some examples:

-   -   The invention can be sized to fit different bag sizes     -   The invention can be sized to fit a variety of tool sizes     -   The proportions for the opening of the frame can be varied as         desired     -   The shape of the opening of the frame can be varied as desired     -   Living hinges or any other hinge design can be used for the         hinges.     -   The types and/or designs of matched mating parts that are used         on the flaps can vary     -   The matched mating parts on the flaps can lock permanently or         temporarily     -   The matched mating parts can make an audible snap or make no         sound when locking     -   The number and placement of flaps can be varied as desired     -   The invention can be used with a number of different ‘bag’         materials (ex: plastic, mesh, net, etc)     -   The invention can be used to hold open ‘bags’ in any application         bags are used     -   The invention can be used to hold open ‘bags’ of any geometry or         style     -   The invention can be used to hold thin materials that are not         bags     -   The invention can be made from a variety of materials     -   The invention may contain a handle and/or extension to make         holding and using it easier     -   The invention may have one or more shaped sides that act like a         dust pan     -   More than one grouping of matched mating parts can be used per         flap     -   Pass through opening(s) for pass through cores can be used in         the flaps to make the invention more suitable for molding by         eliminating undercuts

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of the invention showing flaps in the closed position.

FIG. 2 is an oblique view of the invention showing flaps in the open position.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the invention showing flaps in the closed position.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the invention showing flaps in the open position.

FIG. 5 shows the invention being utilized to pick up debris with a bag installed.

FIG. 6 shows the invention with a bag in the process of being installed. 

1. A bag holder and/or waste bin device comprising: a) a frame; and b) a multiplicity of flaps; each actuated relative to the frame via a multiplicity of living hinges, wherein said flaps engage with the frame via matched mating parts to lock a bag between said matched mating parts.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said flaps and said frame lock with an audible snapping sound to alert the user that the flaps are locked.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said flaps are each small in size in proportion to said frame.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the bag holder is detachable from the waste bin for separate hand held use.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the entire device is molded as a single piece for economical manufacture.
 6. A bag holder and/or waste bin device comprising: a) a frame; and b) a multiplicity of flaps; each actuated relative to the frame via a multiplicity of hinges, wherein said flaps engage with the frame via matched mating parts to lock a bag between said matched mating parts.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein said hinges are living hinges.
 8. The device of claim 6, wherein said flaps and said frame lock with an audible snapping sound to alert the user that the flaps are locked.
 9. The device of claim 6, wherein said flaps are each small in size in proportion to said frame.
 10. The device of claim 6, wherein the bag holder is detachable from the waste bin for separate hand held use.
 11. The device of claim 6, wherein the device is made from a single mold for economical manufacture.
 12. A bag holder and/or waste bin device comprising: a) a frame; and b) a plurality of flaps; each actuated relative to the frame via a multiplicity of living hinges, wherein said flaps engage with the frame via matched mating parts to lock a bag between said matched mating parts.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein said flaps and said frame lock with an audible snapping sound to alert the user that the flaps are locked.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein said flaps are each small in size in proportion to said frame.
 15. The device of claim 12, wherein the bag holder is detachable from the waste bin for separate hand held use.
 16. The device of claim 12, wherein the entire device is molded as a single piece for economical manufacture.
 17. The device of claim 12, wherein the top portion of the frame is curved.
 18. The device of claim 13, wherein said flaps are each small in size in proportion to said frame.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the entire device is molded as a single piece for economical manufacture. 